Chicago Fire end UK tour with 1-0 win against QPR in London

The Chicago Fire sealed an impressive victory against a Queens Park Rangers side that featured six recognised first-team players at the Premier League club’s Imperial College Sports Ground in London on Thursday afternoon.

Quincy Amarikwa scored what proved to be the winning goal in the 15th minute as he managed to get on the end of a Harry Shipp pass and netted the Fire’s first goal of preseason.

That goal was enough to seal victory as the Men In Red remained solid at the back yet again to give them a second clean-sheet in a week following last Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Norwich City.

Head coach Frank Yallop used 21 players during the game with Jeff Larentowicz returning to captain the side in midfield and he has been pleased by what he’s saw from his players over the past couple of weeks.

“It’s a big thing for the first leg of the preseason,” Yallop said after the game. “For sure it’s fitness and getting up to soccer speed, if you like, making sure guys will be ready to play 90 minutes when asked. That was the main thing about this.

“We’re honing down the system and the philosophy. It’s been great, we’re playing at a really high level, we’re tough to break down and beat.

“We played two games against two pretty good sides, and I know it’s early and you probably heard me say the same thing last year, but we’re making teams earn their chances which is important right now.”

Six recognised QPR first-team players took to the field against the Fire with Alex McCarthy, Armand Traore, Eduardo Vargas, Adel Taarabt, Mauro Zarate and Sandro all seeing at least 45 minutes of action.

Chicago have started their preseason campaign well and they now head home before travelling to Portland for the 2015 Simple Invitational where they will face the Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps and Norwegian club Stebaek.